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Former foreign minister in historic foreign service appointment
Christian Wenande
March 9th, 2021
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Former Venstre deputy head Kristian Jensen to become first Danish politician to become a special envoy following rule change
In a historic move, it has emerged that the government intends to appoint a former foreign minister, Kristian Jensen, as a special envoy to the Foreign Ministry.
It would be the first time that a Danish politician has assumed a position in the foreign service following a recent rule change.
Usually, positions within the Foreign Ministry are filled by officials, but the government recently changed the rules to allow politicians to be hired by the foreign service.
Experts contend that the Socialdemokratiet-led government picked a high-profile politician with roots in the opposition to avoid accusations of political maneuvering.
READ ALSO: No stranger to green diplomacy, Denmark’s climate ambassador has hit the ground running
Gunning for the UN Security Council
Jensen – the deputy head of Venstre for ten years up until September 2019, who has also served as finance minister – has reportedly been tasked with securing Denmark a seat on the UN Security Council from 2025-2026.
Denmark last enjoyed membership of the powerful 15-member council from 2005-2006.
Of the 15 members, five (the US, Russia, China, the UK and France) are permanent, while the remaining ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
Jensen is scheduled to begin his new position this coming summer and, according to TV2 News, his appointment will become official in the coming days.
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